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tonearm upgrade, how far up the food chain?

I currently use a Rega RB 300 upgraded with the Origin Live structural mod (i.e. counterweight) and Incognito rewire. It's on a Thorens TD-850, Grado Statement Reference cartridge. Based on comments here on the Gon, many seem to feel that upgrading the arm should come before the cartridge or table, under the circumstances. How far up the ladder do I have to climb to get a noticeable improvement? And, do arms (that is, their bearings) really wear out, or their performance decline, with normal use? considering midlevel Origin Live arms, given the Rega mount. thanks in advance for suggestions.
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Showing 2 responses by nandric

nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Regarding the Rega 300 I agree with Stanwal and disagree,
logicaly, with Raul (sorry Raul). I.e. the 'so-so' qualification applys for the original wiring but the Rega is easy to rewire. I bought this tonearm for my son and deed riwiring myself. BTW my son is also reading this forum
so such 'so-so' qualification my 'disturb' our relation.
Regards,
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Dear Doug, Your argumentation looks very 'sound' but presupposes much knowlege about,say, analog 'experience'.
I,for example, know that Van den Hul 'swears' by Technics
EPA-100. I would never dream to pretend to know beter. But I bought the Triplanar VII wich is ,say, 4 x more expensive because I regard this tonearm as the most beautiful ever made. But your 'cost-ratio'argument
have some other support. One Dutch firm bought an very expensive 'machine' ($ 20 million) but this machine 'refused' to work. So they asked for an specilist
who give an rap to the macine in 'some place' and the machine was working. But he made expenses claim for $ 4000.
To the questin:'$ 4000 for an rap?' his answer was:'the
rap is $50 but the knowlege where to apply the rap is the
rest'.
Regards,
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